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L c. LAZEM.

STEERING wam. AYBLICAIINLHLED AMPM. 19W. RENEWQD FEB. 2l. i919.'

1,311,130. Patented-m5221919.

ASHEETS-SHEET x.

- :Lneas 15%? M1 @1 www 'UNITEB Rei-fel STEEENG-VHEEL.

Application led August 28, ll, Serial Eto. M7215?.

To all 'wha/u t may concern y Be it known that l, LEROY C. Lassen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering-l/Vheels, of which the following is a. specification.

The .present invention has to do with steering Wheels for automobiles, motorboats and the like, and is specially concerned Withmeans for interlocking the Wheel with the steering apparatus, and With means by Which this interlocking connection may be disestablished to render the steering Wheel inoperative.

Various forms of steering Wheel locks for automobiles and the like have heretofore been devised, usually involving the attachment of certain unsightly parts to 'the steering wheel or the post upon which it is mounted. Such steering Wheel locks, furthermore, are ordinarily complicated and ineffective as well, so that 'they perform inadequately their intended functions. ln addition to these disadvantages which I have mentioned, it is usually not difficult for an unauthorized person to pick or tan1- per With the locks so provided, in consequence ot' which no real protection is afforded. My improved steering Wheel pro- Vides a connection with the steering apparatus which is substantially the same in ap pearance as others commonly in use; it includes means, however, by which the Wheel may be readily rendered operative or inoperative, as desired. It is furthermore simple and positive in its action, and retains Within its oWn body all the operative ele ments necessary to e'ect the desired locking and unlocking actions. For 'these as Well as other reasons it is practically immune from tampering. The present steering Wheel, moreover, may be attached to the ordinary steering post Without .requiring special parts or accessories, in consequence of which it may be supplied as an ordinary adjunct to standard` forms of steering apparatus for automobiles, motor-boats and the like. TheseV and other' objects of my invention Will-more fully hereinafter appear from the specilication and-claims, and from /tion the accompanying` drawings, in which Figure l is a plan View of a steering Wheel constructed 1n accordance with my inven- Fig. 2 is an enlarged lsectional View July Renewed February 2i., Serial No. l.

through the steering` Wheel, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

F ig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the steering;` Wheel, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l; v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View through the central portion ot the wheel, with the spider plateremoved to exhibit the parts Within the Wheel chamber, the clutch members in this view being locked with the steering mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vier7 similar to Fig. il, showing the clutch members disengaged "from 'the steeringn mechanism;

Fig., 6 is a cross-section through one et the Wheel spokes, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the lever by which the limiting' action is controlled;

F 7 is avi-ew looking upon the under side of the controlling lever;

Fig. 8 is a View of the slotted plate enu gage'd by the lockinfr lever; and

Fig. 9 is a view ot the plate forming the interlocking connection between the wheel and shaft.

The wheel of my invention comprises spokes or arms l0, preferably tour in nurnber, to the ends of which is secured a circular rim 1l. These spokes or arms are united centrally to a hub l2 Whicl'i surrounds a sleeve 13 having at its upper end an inter-ned flange le. This sleeve maj be tted over the upper end of the ordinary post or housing 15 within Which'the steering` shaft 1G is located, the flanged portion'oi the sl resting upon the upper end et t mst.

The sleeve is interlceked to tue steering shaft through mea-ns as follows: l ringshaped plate 17 having outwardly projecting lugs 18 andinijvardly projecting lugs 19 on opposite sides thereof is arranged to tit upon the sleeve end, suitable recesses 2O loe-- ing provided therein in which the lugs 1S may lie. per end of the steering shaft Within which tlielugs i9 may lie. By forming the ringn shaped plate with an inside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter' of the shaft, and with an outside dia-meter substantially equal to the inside diameter out the slee-ve, the plate 'Z-irray tit Within the sleeve and over the shaftfthus preserving the shaft in spacedrelation to the sleeve. A nut, 22 is arranged to bev threaded upon. 'the upper end of the steering slxainin which position it secan holds the .plate .ifi in .3..

terlocking position with the sleeve 13 land the steeringshaft 16.

Arranged circumferentially upon the `sleeve are a number of dove-tail shaped projecting elements 23, preferably four in number, to correspond with the number of spokes, these projections having between them spaces or slots 24 of equal width. It is intended `that the side faces 25 of the projections shall stand at such an angle that the spaces therebetween shall be bounded by slightly diverging walls. These projecting elements lie within a chamber A formed in the hub of the wheel from which chamber other chambers branch 4out into the spoke portions of the wheel. It is preferred that these chambers shall be formed by hollowing out the upper side ofthe wheel, and that a spidershaped plate'26 shall be secured there" over by rivets 27 or other appropriate means; tobar access to the mechanism within the chambered portion of the wheel. Thepresence of the projecting elements 23 within the chamber A serves to hold the wheel i-n a fixed longitudinal ositionupon the post or housing, but I pre er to support the weight of the -wheel by the use 'of a lock nut 28 screwed upon the sleeve and bearing upon the under side of the wheel hub.

, The present steering Wheel is equipped with means for locking or unlocklng the wheel relative to the sleeve 13, so as to-render the steering apparatus operative or inoperative, accordin as may be desired. For the purpose of esta lishing a secure locking connection between the wheel and the sleeve,

without, detracting in any way from the trim appearance of the' wheel, I have provided mechanism housed entirely within the chambered portions of the wheel, as follows:

One of the chambers, designated as B, is provided with opposite Walls 29, substan tially parallel to each other, and at its outer end with a pocket or recess 30. Another chamber C, located in the spoke diametrically opposite to the spoke in which the chamber B is situated, is likewise provided with side Walls 31 and an outer end pocket or recess 32. Positioned within the chamber B is a clutch plate 33, having bow-shaped arms 34 extending across the chamber A and into thevchamber C. A spring 35 situated within the pocket 30 normally -exerts tension upon the end of the clutch plate such as to cause it to move inwardly. The' inner or acting end 36 of the clutch plate is curved and provided with a tapered head to conform to the Vsleeve surfaces with which it engages. The sleeve projections 23 which extend into the hub chamber may receive between any two of themthc acting end 36 of the clutch plate, and when the parts are so related thethrust exerted upon the clutch plate by the projections 23 will be in such directions as not topause the clutch plate to be retracted from engaging position against the tension of the spring'35. The bowed arms 34 which extend across to the chamber C provide between them sufficient clearance for movement of the projecting elements 23. A portion of the outer sides of each' of these bowed arms may be flattened as at 37 to fit slidingly against walls 38 provided within the chamber A. The arms 34 near the chamber C are converged to a point where the space between them substantially equals the space between two of the dove-tail projections 23 on the sleeve` 13, from which point end portions 39 of eacharm extend straight into the chamber C;

The clutch plate 33, as has been previously noted, is arranged to be moved length- 'Wise across the chambers A, Band C, and

for this purpose sufficient clearance within these chambers is provided. The direction and limit of movements of the clutch plate is determined by slots 40 formed therein through which extend pins 41 secured to the wheel spoke. Upon one of the arm ends 39 lying within the chamber C, a shoulder 42 is 90 formed which projects inwardly a slight distance.- Between the arm ends 39 within the chamber C I have also arranged a second `clutch -plate 43 on one side of which is an open elongated slot 43.a to-provide clearance for the shoulder 42. A spring 44, preferably located within the pocket 32 in the outer 'end' of the vchamber C, is arrangedl to engage with the second clutch plate 43 to normally hold the same in engagement with the sleeve 13, as shown in Fig. 4. The movement of this plate is guided between the 'arm ends 39 and by two pins 46 and 47 projecting into slots 48 and 49, respectively, formed in its body. The acting end 50 of this second 105 clutch plate functions with respect to 4the projections 23 on the sleeve similarly to the end 36 of the other clutch plate 33.

Secured to the shoulder' 42 and the second clutchplate 43 are two pins `51 and 52, re- 110v spcctively, occupying diametrically opposite positions with respect to the pin 47. A circular plate 53 having slots 54 and 55 and a central opening 56 is pivotally secured to the pin 47, in which position the pins 51 and 52 115 are extended through the slots 54 and 55, respectively. Upon opposite sides of the plate 53 peripheral notches 57 are provided,

as best shown in Fig. 8. The position of the plate 53 with respect to thewheel spokes 120 is indicated clearest in Fig. 2. Upon the under side of the Wheel I have pivota'lly mounted a cap-shaped lever 58 in position to overlie the circular plate 53. This leve/r I 58 'is formed With a central opening 59, 125 through whichl the pin 47 is extended 'to secure the lever iii-position, there being a peripheral flange 60 arranged to overlie the plate 53. Projecting inwardly from the flange 60 are arcuate-shaped projections 61 la@ apparent that the chambers A, B and C contain locking mechanism arranged to engage or disengage with the steering apparatus. Each. of the clutch `plates`33 and 43 normally occupies a locking position between two of the lnojections 23 on the sleeve13 (see Fig. 4) which, as previously explained, is locked to thel steering shaft. lIn this position the wheel is operative for use, and the steering apparatus may all. purposes. l/Vljen, however, it is wished to disengage the locking elements from the sleeve, the lever 58 may be manipulated for this purpose. A slightturn of this lever will cause the circula. plate 53 to be revolved, whereupon the pins 51 and 52, together with the clutch plates to which they L are secured, will be moved .in opposite directions from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 5. The clutch members 33 and 43 will accordingly be moved outwardly from engaging position with the projecting elements upon the sleeve, so tha,L4 the wheel may then be revolved freely without in' any way affecting the steering apparatus.

It will not sutiice, however, if the clutch members remain disengaged only 1.empo-' rarily in the manner explained, but -other means should provided for holding the clutch elements retracted in unlock-ing pc sition, in order that the wheel'may be reudered inoperative for any length of time` hor this purpose I have provided means as follows:

` portion $3 of the wall the clutch In one of the arms intermediate those in which the chambers B and C are formed is another chamber I). The wall 38 separating his chamber from the chamber A is broken, as at 63, to permit of the extension therethrough of a lug (i4-formed on the proximate arm 34 of the clutch plate. The biroken 3.3 is sutlicicntly long to allow free movcmeinV of the lug (il when plate is advanced or retracted. 1ll'iithin the chamber l) a latch member (S5 is pivoted as at (SG, this member consisting of an arm t3?, from the end of which extends a rack sector 35?, lvlcshing w ith this incl-1 sector i i9, connected to a lock il), which led and operated by a lrey entered "il, The and of this rack sector is extended in the direction oi' the lng (ll to provide a head i2, which normally rests upon the lug. A spring 73 coiled around a pin 74 within the chamber D engages with the latch member in such a be manipulated for.,

way as nor- Vent wheel is applicable for mally to hold its head portion 72 in engagement with the lug 64. When the clutch plate33 is retracted to the position shown in Fig. 4, the latch plate will be free to move under tension of the spring 73, so that its -head will drop down and engage with the side of the lug 64 to hold from a return of the connection maintained between the clutch plates through the circular plate 53, it follows that the clutch member 43 will likewise be held retracted position through the agency of the latch member G5. In Fig. 3 the arran'gen'ient of the lock 70 within the chamber D is clearly shown, a hollow boss 75 being provided upon .the under side of arm for the purpose of partially the clutch plate the wheel housing the lock.

The chambered wheel construction which I have described is the one which I prefer for the present invention. In the manufacture of the wheel access is provided for through the upper side of the arms. When the locking mechanism has been completely installed, the spider-shaped plate 2G may then be fitted neatly over the arms and hub, and be riveted in place. It will then be impossible to remove the plate, so that the interior mechanism will be immune for tampering. VLikewise, the pin 47 which serves both to guide the movements of the second clutch plate 43 and as a for the plate 53 and lever 5S, may be riveted through the spoke so as not to be removable. It will be apparent that the latch member will hold the clutch members retracted to render the steering wheel inoperative, and will 4continue'to hold the parts in such position for an indefinite period. It is only b the insertionl of a proper key in the lock that the latch member may be withdrawn from engaging position with the lug 64. Under movement inwardly. Because pivotal mounting such circun'istances each of the clutch plates will be moved instantly under tension of the springs 35 and 44 to be engaged with the sleeve 13. In order that the acting ends of the clutch members may properly lodge between the projections 23 formed upon the sleevr it is necessary merely to revolve the steering wheel a slight distance in one 4direction o1 the other until two opposite spaces 24 Ibetween these projections shall have alined x fifth the acting ends of the clutch plates. l

By ein] loying the sleeve 13 and interlocking commotion with the shaft 1G, the presuse with steering apjntratus as now'eommonly made. Also, it is an advantage for reasons of economy in mannfactlllre to construct the parts substantially in t ne manner which I have described. Likewise, I have made use of the circula-r plate 53 etween the lever 58 and the pins 5l and 5/2. This construction is advantageous in that the circular plate may 'be formed by a stamping process and when covered by a cap-shaped lever, entirely conceals the pins 51. and 52and prevents their being tampered with.

It Will lbe observed that the present mechanism is exceedingly simple and compact.

When housed within the spokes of the wheel Aso in the manner described it will be entirely` concealed. The parts are securely protected from tampering, and cannot be manipulated to render the Wheel operative, unless the proper key be' used. With the laid of such a key, however, a slight turn of the wheel is all that is required .to render tliest/eering apparatus serviceable for use.

It is possible to embody my invention in other forms than the ,one hereinshown and described without in any Away departing from the principle of operation disclosed. I' accordingly do not desire to be limited in my invention to the exact form which I have illustrated, but intend 'to include such other modifications as may properly fall withinv ative rotation, a chambered wheel idly.

mounted upon the sleeve, and means located wi-thin the chambered portion of the wheel for interlocking the wheel and sleeve a ainst relative rotative movement, substantie ly as described.

2. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a shaft, a sleeve upon the shaft, y

A there beingslots within the sleeve and shaft,

a connecting plate between the sleeve and shaft having `projections arranged to lie sleeve elements bein ychambered` portion ov the wheel, and clutch within the said slots, whereby the sleeve and shait .are interlocked against relative rotation, a cap threaded upon the shaft arranged to overlie the connecting plate to hold the same in lace, and whenremoved to permit remova of thel late and sleeve from off the shaft, a cham red wheel idly mounted upon the sleeve, and means within the chamberedl ortion of the wheel for interlocking the wheel and sleeve against relative rotation, substantially as described.

3. Steering a paratus embodying, in conr-A bin-ation, a sha -a sleeve upon the sh'aft, a-

removable interlocking connection between -the sleeve and 'shaft, projecting elemer'itsV spaced equidistantly upon the sleeve and providing between them slots whose opposite. l

a chambeled wheel sleeve, th( mojocting disposed within the walls slightly diverge, idly mounted-upon the members within the chambered portion of the wheel movable into position between the projecting sleeve elements for interlocking the wheeland sleeve, substantially as described.

4. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a shaft, a sleeve upon the shaft, there being slots formed in the sleeve and shaft, a connecting plate between the sleeve and shaft having-,projections arranged to lie within thesaid slots, whereby the sleeve and shaft are interlocked against relative rotation, a wheel mounted upon the sleeve, and clutch members carried by the wheel arranged to engage with the sleeve to interlock the wheel therewith, substantially as described. i

5. Steering vapparatus embodying, in combmation, a shaft, a' sleeve upon the shaft, there .being slots formed in the` sleeve and shaft, a connecting plate between the .sleeve and shaft having projections arranged to lie withinthe said slots, whereby the sleeve and shaft, are interlocked against relative rotation7 a cap threaded upon the shaft arranged' to overlie the connecting plate to hold the same in place, and when removed to permit removal of the plate and sleeve from oid the shaft, a wheel mounted upon the sleeve, and

'clutch members carriedby the wheel arranged to engage with the sleeve to inter lock the wheel therewith, substantially as described.

i 6. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a shaft, a sleeve upon the shaft, a .removable in'terlockin l connectionI between the'wheel and shaft, a cap secured upon the shaft arranged to conceal the interlocking connection, projecting elements spaced equidistantly upon the sleeve and providing between them slots whose opposite walls slightly diverge, a wheel mounted upon the sleeve, and clutch lmembers carried by the wheel movable into position between the pro-y jecting sleeve elements for interlocking the wheel and sleeve, substantially as described.

7 Steering apparatus embodying, in comvbination, a shaft, a sleeve upon the shaft, an

interlocking connection between the sleeve and shaft, a spoked wheel idly mount/ed upon u 'the lsleeve, the spokes and hub portions of the wheel being chambered, clutch members within the chamberexi portion ofthe wheel arranged to engage with the sleeve to interlook therewith, wherehyllA the wheel and l'sleeve are held. against' relative ,rotative movement, a lever pivotally secured to the exterior ,of the wheel, and means connecting the lever ,with the clutchniembers within the wheel for retractin-g the saine from locking position, substantially as described.

'8. Steering a paratus embodying, incombination, a sha t, a sleeve upon the shaftyan' interlocking fconnection between the sleeve nthe sleeve, a plurality of connecting chambers in and shalt, a chambered Wheel mounted upon clutch members Within the ehambered portion of the Wheel arranged to engage With the sleeve to interlock the wheel therewith, a llinger piece arranged exteriorly of the Wheel, and means connecting the finger pie-ce with the clutch members wi thin the Wheel for retracting the same from locking;` position, substantially as described. i

Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a shaft, a spoked Wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, there being intertlie 'spoke and hub portions of the Wheel, projecting elements secured to the shaft extending into the chambered portion of the wheel, a pair of movable clutch members Within the Wheel upon opposite sides of its axis, one of said members having an arm extended across the' Wheel hub to overlap the other clutch inember, a pin carried upon the clutch member arm, a pin upon the clutch member proximate thereto, a lever mechanism pivoted internieiliate said pins having` slots Within which the pins may lie and arranged when turned to engage the pins, whereby the clutch members are moved simultaneously in opposite directions, the' clutch members when moved inwardly being' arranged to engage with the projecting; shaft elements to interlock the Wheel With the shaft, substantially as described,

10. lSteering; apparatus embodying, in combination, a shaft, a chanibered wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, means Within the chanibered portion of the Wheel for establishing and disestablishing an interlocking;YY connection between the Wheel and shaft, 'including mov-able clutch Ymembers, tension means ttor normally causing the members to move toward the shaft, projecting elements secured to the shaft With which the clutch members may engage when moved into locking position, means for causing the clutch members to be retractedinto unlocking; position, and means for holding the clutch members in retracted unlocking pesition comprising a lug on one clutch member, and a tension actuated latch arranged to engage with the lugwhen the clin'xzh mem-ber reracted, and means for releasing the latch from engaging position comprising a rack sector, and a key controlled pinion meshingwith the rack sector, substantially as i'lescribed.

il. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a. shaft, a charnbered wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, and means within the chainbered portion of the Wheel for establishing and discstablishing' an inlerlocking connection between the wiheel and sha'et including movable clutch members the wheel, elements secured to the shaft with which the clutch members may engage when moved into locking' position, tension means for normally causingethe clutch elements to move into lockingposition, means for retracting the clutch elements from locking position, and means for hold 70 ing the clutch elements in retracted unlocking position consisting' of a tension/conf trolled latch arranged to engage with the clutch menrbers when retracted to prevent return movement thereof, a rack sector upon the latch, and a kkey controlled pinion meshing with the rack sector for releasing the latchfrom engaging position, substantially c as described.

l2. tetecringapparatus embodying, in combina'tion, a shaft, a chambered Wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, means within the ohambered portion of the Wheel for establishing and disestablishing an interlocking' connection between the wheel and shaft, 85 including movable clutch members within he Wheel, elements secured to the shaft with which the clutch members may engage when moved into locking position, and means .for retract-ing the clutch members from locking position, comprising a pin on each of the clutch members, a pivotally mounted plate member in engagement. with each ol,E the pins, and a lever locked to the plate for rotating the same, whereby lthe clutch pins are moved in -unison to retract the clutch mem-` bers from locking' position, substantially as described.

13. Steering apparatus embodying, in' com- .binatiom a shaft, a Wheel mountedmpon the shaft, clutch members on diametrically opposite sides of the Wheel arranged to engage with the sh'aft to interlock the Wheel there-l with., one of the said clutch members being extended across the wheel to overlie the other clutch member, and means in proxim- A ity tothe overlying portions of the clutch men'ilbers .lier movingr the same simultane-y ously in opposite directions, substantially as described. 14. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination7 a shaft, a Wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, means for interlockingf the wheel and shaft, means for disestablishing' the interlocking connection between the wheel and shaft, and other means for normally preventingrestablishment of the interlocking' connection 'between the Wheel and shaft, substantially as described.

l5. Steeringapparatuseinbodying,in combination,l :L shaft, a wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, elements movable from one position to another for locking or unloeking the Wheel relative to the shaft, and separate means for holding the elements in eitherlockinfg or unlockingy position, substantially as described. n

lo. Steering apparatus embodying, in c0mbination, a shaft, a wheel operatively mounted upon the shaft, clutch elements carried by the'shaft, other clntdh elements carried by the wheel and movable toward and from the'clutch elements on the shaft and adapted to coperate therewith, whereby the wheel may be locked or unlocked relative to the shaft, and separate means 'for holding the wheel clutch elements in either engaged or disengaged relation with the shaft clutch elements, substantially as described.

17. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a shaft, a wheel idly mounted upon A the shaft, clutch members on diametrically opposite sides of the wheel arranged to engage with the shaft to interlock the wheel therewith, one of the said clutch members being provided with arms encircling the shaft and overlying the other of said clutch mem- Vbers and means for moving the clutch members into or out of engaging position with the shaft, substantially as described.

18. Steering apparatus embodying, in combination, a tube, a shaft within the tube, there being a space between the Shaft and tube, a sleeve having an inturned flange at one end thereof arranged to fit over the end of the tube with its flanged portion upon the tube end, a ring-shaped plate member having inwardly and outwardly extending lugs interposed between the shaft and Sleeve, there being'slots within the shaft and Sleeve ends within which the said lugs may lie to lockv the sleeve shaft against relative rotative movement, and a wheel having means lfor connection rwith the sleeve, substantially as described.

LEROY C. LAZEAR. 

